Scuba Diving Mabul

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Mabul is a 20 hectare tropical island located 12km off the Southeast coast of Sabah in Borneo,15km north of Sipadan Island. The island itself is home to cultural water villages and Bajau People, described in our About Sabah page. For accommodation recommendations please click here.

Not so long ago this reluctantly adopted sister to Sipadan was a little known destination, however the advent of "Muck Diving" placed Mabul on the same stage as other world class macro destinations in Indonesia and Suluwesi. To say that it offers only Muck Diving is an injustice as it actually has some fantastic walls, very healthy coral growth and generally fair to good visibility. Generally all dives in the area have a top reef conveniently beginning at safety stop depths of approximately 5m where one can float by and admire the view.

Surrounding Dive Sites of Mabul Island

Lobster Wall
The site consists of three walls to depths of 35 - 37m, separated by sloping reef and forming a channel with the submerged reef opposite. The walls are covered in yellow, blue and orange soft hanging corals and sponges, providing food for a large variety of Nudibranch. Sea fans are home to cryptic Pygmy Seahorses, Turtles, Frogfish, schools of yellow snapper, ribbon eels and the occasional Flamboyant Cuttlefish are also residents of the reef. Strong currents are present making it a challenging macro site but a great ride.

Ray Point
A great choice when the currents are strong elsewhere, this sheltered site slopes to a maximum of 22m and as the name suggests is home to many Spotted Rays. Aswell as all the usual suspects, one can hope to find Nudibranch, Ribbon Moray Eels and Flying Gurnards.

Eel Garden
The gently sloping reef bottoms to approx 24m and joins a sandy bottom where one can find Garden Eels, fields of them. If disturbed they retreat into their burrow simultaneously creating a wave effect extending about 3m ahead of the intruder which is quite fun to see. For more information on Garden Eels, please see our Marine Biology Section on Eels. The top reef is great for critters. and home to Leaf Fish, Seahorses, Mantis Shrimps and Anthias. The gently sloping reef bottoms to approx 24m, this is a relaxing and visually rewarding dive site suited to all levels of diver.

Paradise
Even when the current is strong this site remains manageable, a sloping reef to a maximum of 12-14m, providing shelter for Frogfish, Mandarin Fish, Cuttlefish, Ghostpipefish and many Juvenile Macro Species, the sandy substrate teems with Gobies and Moray Eels. In our opinion this site is often under rated, we almost always discover something special here although you need to dive it slowly and maintain a sharp eye.

Froggy Lair
A gently sloping large sandy area with artificial reef structures of tyres and frame constructions. A hugely successful dive site project and home to a variety of marine life, Jacks, Snappers, Giant Groupers, many Frogfish and Ghostpipefish to name a few. Maximum depth 25m, the nutrient rich waters produce quite poor viz - sometimes as low as 8m. Its a tricky dive to navigate so we'd recommend staying with your guide to get the most out of the area.

Rig Reef - Seaventures
Strong currents can exist around full and new moon, during this time the site should be dived around slack tide, experienced guides will assist with timing. With a maximum depth of 19m, Pelagic fishes such as Garfish, Jacks and Big Mouth Mackerel cruise the cylindrical leg structures, Bumphead Parrot Fish the odd Turtle and schools of Snapper are regular visitors. Various artificial reef structures support a wide range of macro life including Nudibranchs, Eels, Octopus (including the Mimic), Lionfish, Leaf Fish, Frogfish, Crocodilefish, Pygmy Seahorses and Gobies. The Scorpionfish and Stonefish that live here are some of the largest we have seen.

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For creature information please peruse our Marine Biology section - links are located on the left of this page.